He found it was just possible
to crush through; and, after a minute's struggle, his feet rested upon
the pantry floor.
CHAPTER XIX.
FIRE! FIRE!
Anne was standing close to the pantry door, listening to Stephen's
mysterious movements in utter bewilderment, hardly knowing whether she
ought to call her uncle, but not coming to a decision about it until the
boy appeared before her. His first quick action was to secure the door
by fastening a rusty bolt which was on the outside, and then, in a few
hurried sentences, he explained his strange conduct by telling her how
Tim had conveyed to him the design of some of the colliers for breaking
into the master's house. There had been several similar robberies in the
country during the strike for wages, and Miss Anne was greatly alarmed,
while Stephen felt all the tender spirit of a brave man aroused within
him, as she sank faint and trembling upon the nearest seat.
'Don't be afraid,' he said courageously; 'they shall tear me to pieces
afore they touch you, Miss Anne. I'm stronger than you'd think; but if I
can't take care of thee, God can. Hasn't He sent me here, afore they
come, on purpose? They'd have come upon you unawares, but for God.
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